Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Elizabeth McLain today announced that the Enforcement Division has formally settled an environmental violation involving John Gross Trucking & Excavating, Inc., a construction, transportation, and excavation company located in Northfield. The settlement includes a $2,800 penalty.

Through the Agency's investigation, it was discovered that John Gross Trucking & Excavating, Inc., in the course of doing business, accumulated waste oil mixed with water and poured it onto a large stump and wood debris pile and set it on fire. This resulted in the following violations: release of hazardous material onto the land, failing to report the release, open burning of unpermitted material, and illegal disposal of solid waste outside a certified facility.

The matter came to light as a result of a citizen complaint about waste oil burning in a sandpit located off Rt. 14a in Roxbury. Environmental Enforcement Officer Sean McVeigh investigated the matter. After his investigation was completed, John Gross Trucking & Excavating, Inc. was notified of the violations and agreed to settle the matter. The company also made arrangements to properly store and dispose of the waste oil in the future.

The settlement was reduced to an Assurance of Discontinuance and was so ordered by the Environmental Court on December 5, 2003. In it, John Gross Trucking & Excavating, Inc. agreed to pay a civil penalty of $2,800.